A Conformational Variant of p53 (U-p53AZ) as Blood-Based Biomarker for the Prediction of the Onset of Symptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ongoing research seeks to identify bloodbased biomarkers able to predict onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: The unfolded conformational variant of p53 (U-p53 AZ ), previously observed in AD individuals, was evaluated in plasma samples from individuals participating in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) cohort for diagnostic and prognostic assessment, validated on a neuropsychological-based diagnosis, over the course of six years. DESIGN: Retrospective Longitudinal Prognostic biomarker study. SETTING: Single-center study based on the AIBL cohort. PARTICIPANTS: 482 participants of the AIBL cohort, aged 60-85 years, without uncontrolled diabetes, vascular disease, severe depression or psychiatric illnesses. MEASUREMENTS: The AlzoSure ® Predict test, consisting of immunoprecipitation (IP) followed by liquid chromatography (LC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), was performed to quantify the AZ 284 ® peptide as readout of U-p53 AZ and compared with an independent neuropsychological diagnosis. The amyloid load via amyloid β-positron emission tomography (Aβ-PET) and supporting clinical information were included where possible. RESULTS: U-p53 AZ diagnostic and prognostic performance was assessed in both time-independent and time-dependent (36, 72 and 90 months following initial sampling) analyses. Prognostic performance of Aβ-PET and survival analyses with different risk factors (gender, Aβ-PET and APOE ε4 allele status) were also performed. U-p53 AZ differentiated neuropsychologically graded AD from non-AD samples, and its detection at intermediate/high levels precisely identified present and future symptomatic AD. In both time-independent and time-dependent prognostic analyses U-p53 AZ achieved area under the curve (AUC) >98%, significantly higher than Aβ-PET AUCs (between 84% and 93%, P respectively <0.0001 and <0.001). As single factor, U-p53 AZ could clearly determine the risk of AD neuropsychological diagnosis over time (low versus intermediate/high U-p53 AZ hazard ratio=2.99). Proportional hazards regression analysis identified U-p53 AZ levels as a major independent predictor of AD onset. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support use of U-p53 AZ as blood-based biomarker predicting whether individuals would reach neuropsychologically-defined AD within six years prior to AD diagnosis. Integration of U-p53 AZ in screening processes could support refined participant stratification for interventional studies.

Tau protein binds to the P53 E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2

“…Consistent with this, increased DNA damage is found in AD 10 and persistent DDR causes neuronal senescence and upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors 55 . Finally, abnormal P53 species are considered as potential biomarkers of AD 56 . Importantly, nuclear Tau can form a complex with P53, Pin1 and PARN, a mRNA stability regulator, including that of P53 57 .…”

The Critical Role of Biomarkers for Drug Development Targeting the Biology of Aging

“…The unfolded conformational variant of p53 (U-p53), detected in CSF and plasma, has emerged as a potential prognostic and diagnostic biomarker for AD (111). U-p53 levels gradually increase throughout disease progression due to amyloid exposure and oxidative stress and are linked to neurodegeneration (112,113).…”

Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease: Context of Use, Qualification, and Roadmap for Clinical Implementation

“…Evolving biomarkers that have promise as target engagement reporters but are not yet fully established include plasma and CSF biomarkers of oxidative stress such as lipid peroxidation, isoprostanes, and neuroprostanes [ 59 ]. Plasma and CSF measures of u-P53 are considered measures of oxidation-induced protein changes in neuronal cells [ 60 , 61 ]. Lipid measures that may have a role as AD biomarkers or target engagement biomarkers include cholesterol (including 24S-hydroxycholesterol), oxysterols, fatty acids, and phospholipids [ 62 ].…”